20 Best Books For Black Teens (2023 Update)

This was a beautiful book! The progression of the story and the development of the characters were incredible and I would definitely recommend this to teens and adults alike!Kobi

I love the cover and the blurb. i havent bought this book using booktopia but i got it from Big W. i am about to read it!Aariz.k

Very uplifting and empowering book. We are reading it as a group and everyone finds it easy to read and is happy we picked it up. I love the journal prompts at the end.Delite

This book is much better than expected. Great read. Love the compelling essays from female British writers. So many perspectives with reading compelling journeys of women who have made Britain a new way of life as women of color fight to be heard and express what is vital to people of colors growth. The willingness to no longer be silent with respect to having grace and class when being heard. TBC…mizlady99

This book had a lot of potential. I felt like everything happened in the last 3 chapters of the book. Unexpected ending for as well.Britt

For her debut novel, The Other Black Girl, Zakiya Delila Harris uses her insider knowledge of the publishing world to introduce the reader to that unique environment. She also provides the perspective of a "token black woman" in an industry that struggles to reconcile entrenched racism with the goal of "purposeful diversification." The book opens with a prologue that will leave readers scratching their head in more ways than one. The main character here is Nella, an ambitious assistant editor at the highly esteemed Wagner Books. She hopes that all her efforts will put her in line for a promotion, but they are dashed by the entrance of another black women who is hired as her peer. Hazel is a confident, magnetic woman who quickly becomes Nella's opponent in office politics. Nella seems to be overly gracious in her tolerance of Hazel's manipulation and mercurial attitudes. As Hazel rises meteorically in the opinions of her bosses and coworkers, Nella becomes more bogged down with self-doubts about her own competence. She bolsters her efforts by working harder, hoping to be recognized. She no longer has time to devote to the important causes and activities she used to value, and she becomes increasingly paranoid and erratic. Nella suspects that Hazel is hiding something from her past that may be potentially dangerous, and she enlists her best friend to help ferret out the truth. This when The Other Black Girl takes a remarkably unexpected turn. No spoilers here, but readers will benefit if they go back and re-read that puzzling prologue again. Harris has drawn the reader down a clue-strewn path that are only becomes resolved by the last few chapters. Excellent writing and characterization make this novel a fantastic summer read for those looking for a different kind of suspense mystery by a talented new author. Thanks to the author, Atria Books and Edelweiss for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.jnmegan

I loved watching the anime so i wanted to read the manga as well. The book is even more detailed and funny than the anime, i highly recommend to anyone that has watched the anime or wants to get into a action and comedy filled series.ALEX

Stock standard shounen. Good introduction to the series. I watched the anime first and reading the manga gets rid of one of the biggest complaints about the anime, The main characters constant screaming. If you like Shounen you will probably like thisRollsy

This book is a must-read for those who are interested in giving an accurate, proof-driven, dialogue about racism and remedies for it. It provides the vocabulary and the history to equip one to provide an articulate response to every verbal encounter about racism and gives solutions to achieve an understanding to liberate minds from inferiority and superiority complexes.Terry

This is not the 2017 version of the book, but the 1999 one. It is missing the updated prologue. Still a book worth reading, but the past 20 years of historical context is what I needed for my course.suz.w

I'm really enjoying the book, I'm finding pretty much every poem interesting and there's a unique array of writing styles. I'm really inspired and I would recommend.missjoseph10

Great to see more and more great books being published that feature the black experience. Important for kind of all races to be exposed to black lives and experiences.Lauren

Such a great book! I love the layout and the “sidebar” tips Mr. Joseph incorporated throughout the book. He didn’t have to explain anything to anyone and I appreciate that he did. Even if you think you’re doing a good job at being anti racist and an ally this book needs to be read.Cwolfe56

There was a random dent in the spine that looked like someone tried to cut it with a knife, and the cover was covered with a sticky substance.symphondun-0

This book definatly lived up to the first in this series. It was simply amazing and just sweeps you off your feet into the dark faerie tale woven by Holly Black. Definatly would recomend this.Bex24

Girl, Woman, Other is the winner of the Booker Prize 2019 and deservedly so. Bernardine Evaristo has written a powerful story featuring 12 mostly black female characters of different ages from a teenager to a great grandmother from different backgrounds living in the UK. The novel captures a portrayal of modern Britain, presenting 12 original tales of women and their struggles of living in a predominantly white society. Each tale is unique, yet they are all linked. There's a lot packed in this book, with race and gender discriminaton being the most dominant themes of the book. Evaristo adopted an experimental writing style with no full stops or capital letters at the end and start of the sentences. Neither there are quotation marks for dialogues. While the lack of punctuation threw me off balance at first and got me worried this was going to be another Milkman, luckily, that was not the case. After just a couple of chapters I got used to the style and it didn't bother me at all after that. This book is unique and original, unlike anything I've ever read. It is a fascinating, timely and eye-opening read. I'm already thinking that I probably want to re-read the book next year which says a lot as I hardly ever do re-reads.Jim The Runner

If I could miss first 3 chapters, without it meaning the reader would be unable to locate later characters it would be super for me. First half too much change of thought for me. it was still challenging and I appreciate updating the products of my ancient thinking. My critique must be around 40 years out of date, re sex but I am leading the field on colour issues and felt deeply for those dealt with here. Just coming to terms with ageism my self, but at 86 beyond caring too much about that. In this day and age it seems one can still think and feel BUT just do not spout about it, in case someone takes offence at friendly banter. What a challenge this book is. So much so I will read it all again.sheilashmor0

i actually read it before buying my own personal copy ( a friend lent me their copy) but doesnt that say enough about how brilliant this book is??? i rarely ever buy lent books but i simply had to get my own copy. God blesssss this book 10/10! absolutely no faults!far_9179

if we are always on the mountains, how can we experience what the valley is like.the valley has the running water. thank god, for everything.sdanae2003

This book has brought me out of some dark places and made me appreciate all of the experiences life has brought my way. I read it many years ago but I needed to buy it again because 20 years later I needed a refresher course.spradmart2015

I purchased several copies of Valley in the Valley via Ebay. I have given copies of the book as gifts to women who desire to move pass their perceived limitations in life. It is wonderful reading material for anyone who wishes to learn what values can be discovered in life's trying times. I read this book over and over throughout the years for re-enforcement of positive thinking and spiritual guidance. I am a better person after having read this book and applying some of the lessons learned in my daily living.lisaej24

I love the author’s poetry and the cover art is phenomenal. I wish to share her work with more of my community but the quantity at the nearby Targets is one or none. Please help me share her work.Aye

as you read further into the book you just can't put it down. i got yelled at, at work because i just couldn't put it down. black girl magic and this FORSURE a 10 start girlys.love

This book had me feeling happiness, despair, anger and all other emotions though out the whole novel. I sympathize and truly feel like this book, not just pulls you in but reminds you that every great thing in life, is takes million hours of work. But that you also allowed to defeated and exhausted during that battle.Lulu

This book is one that I'll never forget. It has tugged at my heartstrings, and has helped me gain a new perspective in life. I rarely say that about a book, especially a fiction novel. Black Women Must Die Exhausted is about Tabitha Walker a 30's something TV news reporter. She feels like she's got everything in her life planned out, she's got a list and checked off each detail. But, a huge bombshell is dropped on her, she's got a new and potentially life altering medical crisis dropped in her life, and she doesn't have much time if she wants the future she's planned for, worked so hard for. She works hard, extremely hard. Hard in her job, having to fight hard for a promotion. Hard in her personal relationships, where is her long time boyfriend going with her on this journey. Hard with her family relationships. Hard just to stay safe, encountering police officers is absolutely terrifying and she knows that the wrong move, the wrong officer could be potentially deadly. Hard to keep her appearance up to a standard set by her job, she longs to be able to have her own style. Hard to get a career changing story. So hard all the time. Her one true constant is her beloved grandmother, who is her namesake. She's very close to her grandmother and is able to be more of herself around her. You'll follow her journey and see how her growth as a person. This really is one of those life changing novels and you will definitely be glad you've read it. I would like to thank Jayne Allen, Harper Perennial, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.LeighReads

This book had me feeling happiness, despair, anger and all other emotions though out the whole novel. I sympathize and truly feel like this book, not just pulls you in but reminds you that every great thing in life, is takes million hours of work. But that you also allowed to defeated and exhausted during that battle.Lulu

This book is one that I'll never forget. It has tugged at my heartstrings, and has helped me gain a new perspective in life. I rarely say that about a book, especially a fiction novel. Black Women Must Die Exhausted is about Tabitha Walker a 30's something TV news reporter. She feels like she's got everything in her life planned out, she's got a list and checked off each detail. But, a huge bombshell is dropped on her, she's got a new and potentially life altering medical crisis dropped in her life, and she doesn't have much time if she wants the future she's planned for, worked so hard for. She works hard, extremely hard. Hard in her job, having to fight hard for a promotion. Hard in her personal relationships, where is her long time boyfriend going with her on this journey. Hard with her family relationships. Hard just to stay safe, encountering police officers is absolutely terrifying and she knows that the wrong move, the wrong officer could be potentially deadly. Hard to keep her appearance up to a standard set by her job, she longs to be able to have her own style. Hard to get a career changing story. So hard all the time. Her one true constant is her beloved grandmother, who is her namesake. She's very close to her grandmother and is able to be more of herself around her. You'll follow her journey and see how her growth as a person. This really is one of those life changing novels and you will definitely be glad you've read it. I would like to thank Jayne Allen, Harper Perennial, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.LeighReads